Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Estrada-Eguizabal | Trident Refit Facility-Bangor holds a change of command ceremony between Capt. Michael Eberlein and Capt. Eric Astle with presiding officer Rear Adm. Todd Figanbaum, commander, Submarine Group Nine, and Rear Adm. Chris Cavanaugh, commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, as the keynote speaker at Deterrent Park on Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Washington, August 6, 2026. TRFB supports the nation’s strategic deterrence mission by repairing, incrementally overhauling, and modernizing Pacific Fleet strategic ballistic missile submarines during refits. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan Estrada-Eguizabal) see less
| View Image Page
Trident Refit Facility-Bangor conducts change of command ceremony
SILVERDALE, Wash. (Aug. 6, 2026) – Trident Refit Facility-Bangor (TRFB) conducted a change of command ceremony at Deterrent Park on Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Aug. 6.
Capt. Michael Eberlein, a native of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, concluded a successful four years of duty as commanding officer of TRFB and was relieved by Capt. Eric Astle, a Richmond, Virginia native.
Rear Adm. Todd Figanbaum, commander, Submarine Group Nine, presided over the change of command ceremony with Rear Adm. Chris Cavanaugh, commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, serving as the keynote speaker.
TRFB was established on July 1, 1981, as the primary maintenance facility for the newly introduced Trident submarine program. The command was built from the ground up to support and maintain the Navy’s Trident submarines. TRFB is the sole provider for Pacific Fleet strategic ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) maintenance while preparing its workforce to welcome the next generation of strategic deterrence, the Columbia-class submarines, into the fleet.
“Teamwork played such an important role during my time at TRFB,” said Eberlein. “The ability of the command to integrate all facets of the workforce into the critical maintenance mission was amazing. We were able to get boats out on time and ready to conduct national security operations.”
During Eberlein’s tenure, from June 2022 to August 2026, TRFB significantly advanced command manufacturing, modernization and operational efficiency. By introducing cutting-edge technologies, the command vastly improved submarine fleet readiness to include innovative maintenance solutions, an environmentally compliant waterborne paint enclosure and increased electronic work processing. Ultimately over Eberlein’s tenure, TRFB accelerated innovative repair processes and secured critical in-house production capabilities to support submarine readiness and maintenance.
In his remarks, Cavanaugh spoke about the importance of the command’s mission and the dedicated personnel who carry out that mission. “In our business, maintenance is not merely a supporting function. Maintenance generates combat power,” Cavanaugh said. “For 45 years, TRF Bangor has repaired, overhauled, and modernized the Pacific Fleet’s ballistic missile submarines. Today, more than 2,200 military and civilian professionals carry forward that responsibility.
He would go on to praise Eberlein for his leadership while in command and welcome Astle into his new role as commanding officer. "Mike did not merely remain in command for a long time. He led this team through an extraordinarily consequential period," Cavanaugh said. "Congratulations on a remarkable command tour. Eric, congratulations as you assume command."
Astle, a native of Richmond, Virginia, assumed command after previously serving as the officer-in-charge and senior board member for the U.S. Pacific Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board, and the deputy commander of Submarine Development Squadron 5, managing operations for three Seawolf-class submarines. Astle commissioned through Officer Candidate School in 2001.
“I’m proud to be the commanding officer at TRFB and to be part of this fantastic SSBN maintenance team,” said Astle. “The on-time execution of maintenance availabilities, refit coordination between the command and supported units and improvements to the TRFB infrastructure will be of vital importance to the future of our mission.”
TRFB supports the nation’s strategic deterrence mission by repairing, incrementally overhauling, and modernizing Pacific Fleet SSBNs during refits.
